FEBRUARY EVENTS

This play, about three women who come home to claim their family’s land in modern day Mexico, was inspired by Anton Chekhov’s classic drama, The Cherry Orchard. Stars Yetta
Gottesman, Justin Huen, Isabelle Ortega, Diane Romo and Sabina Zuniga Varela. Directed by
Laurie Woolery with dramaturgy by Luis Alfaro.

OUR STORY JETS & SHARKSTHEN AND NOW
FEBRUARY 18, 2012 3-6PM
12136 VENTURA BLVD
STUDIO CITY, CA 91604
Maria Henley, an accomplished assistant director of stage and screen, was one of the dancers in the classic stage and movie production of Westside Story. Now Maria and other cast members share their remembrances in a new book, OUR STORY, JETS & SHARKS, THEN AND NOW.

This is a group art show featuring the work of some of the most prominent women artists of the Post World War II period in Los Angeles. Chicana artist in the show are renowned artists JudithE Hernandez and Linda Vallejo.

The Arte Flemenco Dance Theatre under the direction of renowned dancer Clarita is open for Spring classes in Flamenco ballet, folklorico and hip-hop. Prices vary and dance instruction is open to adults as well as children.

The National Hispanic Media Coalition, a media advocacy and civil rights organization created in 1986, holds its annual fundraiser at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. The awards ceremony recognizes Latinos who have contributed to the advancement of Latinos in the media.

The Boyle Heights Latina Independent Film Extravaganza (BHLIFE) will re-launch its festival this year on March 2nd-4th. In celebration of International Woman’s Day. BHLIFE is a celebration of Latinas, their voices and their visions. The mission of the festival is to build a network of Latina filmmakers that will draw attention to the growing number of Latinas working behind the camera. BHLIFE was founded by Josefina Lopez, writer of Real Women Have Curves, among many other plays and novels. Josefina is also the founder of Casa0101 (theater space) in Boyle Heights, which is the new home for BHLIFE.

Avenue 50 Studio presents an art exhibit showcasing paintings, graphic arts, publications and other memorabilia telling the story of Chicano arts collectives in the Highland Park community of Los Angeles. Showcased are Mechicano and Centro de Arte Publico and the work of numerous artists.

Teatro Visión of San Jose is proud to bring the national touring productions of Solitude, an original play written by Evelina Fernandez, to San Jose’s Mexican Heritage Plaza Theater. Set on the day of the Los Angeles million immigrant march in 2006, Solitude weaves together an emotionally charged story of secrets, laughter and explosive mambo. Directed by Jose Luis Valenzuela, the play is performed in both English and Spanish versions on alternate dates. For more info check out Teatro Visión website.

The Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana of San Jose hosts a exhibit and public forums conceived to take inventory and invite reflection on Chicano art. The exhibit features 23 artists. Opening reception is on February 3, 2012.

Founding member of La Brava Theater and acclaimed author Cherri Moraga celebrates
the 25th anniversary of La Brava Theater with a play which follows the sacred geography of indigenous American ancestors to tell a post-modern story of rupture and return.

Bay area poet Rafael Jesús González joins other bay area poets in a reading sponsored by Spillway Magazine. Hosted by editor Susan Terris the reading will take place at Book Passage, 51 Tamal Visat Blvd., Corte Madera, California.

Word Becomes Flesh is an evening length choreopoem written in the form of a narrative verse play. This is a series of performed letters to an unborn son utilizing poetry, dance , live music directed by Marc Bamuthi Joseph. The program is co-commissioned by the La Pena Cultural Center.

This event brings together national and international media, Latino bloggers, innovators, marketers, celebrities and filmmakers in a creative environment best described as SXSW with a Latino focus. The website above tells you all about the events and opportunities.

Los Condenados Huastecos (The Condemned Huastecos) is a Chicago-based trio that specializes in the son huasteco musical tradition from Mexico’s central gulf region. This concert of Son Huasteco takes place on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 at 8:30PM.

Chicago’s Teleguia de Chicago hosts this year’s Latino Book and Family Festival which promotes literacy and education to the Latino communities through book stalls, book-signings, author readings and other entertainment. The festival isn’t until end of March but if you’re an author of or publisher of Latino literature and would like to register now contact América Vasquez at: avasquez@teleguia.us.

“Latino Arizona: 100 Years,” a new state Centennial documentary photo exhibition that opens First Friday, Feb. 3 at the Arizona Latino Arts & Cultural Center (ALAC) in Phoenix, holds a mirror to the past, and chronicles the contributions Latinos of Mexican descent have made to the state of Arizona. This revealing photograph collection looks back at the early days of Latino pioneers and their many contributions to the founding and growth of the state.

The Tejano Genealogy Society of Austin announces the unveiling of a major Tejano Monument honoring Tejano Heroes which will take place at the State Capital Building in Austin, Texas. On Thursday, March 29th, there will be an official unveiling of the monument. On Friday, March 30th there will be free historical sessions by scholars of Tejano history with a banquet Friday night at the Texas Executive Student Center at the University of Texas, Austin. On Saturday, March 31st, there will be a Tejano parade on South Congress Street beginning at 9AM.

The Museo Guadalupe Aztlan will present artist-in-residence Ildelfonso “Poncho” Martinez singing corridos to coincide with the National Association of Chicano/a Studies Conference, Tejas Foco 2012 on March 2, 2012 at Texas State university, San Marcos, Texas.

MECA celebrates Valentine’s Day with a concert featur9ing the music of Mariachi MECA, Tres En Punto de Colombia, and Vanessa Cerda Alonso

ARTE PÚBLICO CHANGES LOCATION

Arte Público, the premiere bilingual publishing house in the United States announces they have changed their address. The new address is: Arte Público Press, University of Houston, 4902 Gulf Frwy. Bldg. 19 Room 100, Houston, TX 77204-2004

This is a three day workshop for Latino documentary media makers sponsored by the National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP) and the National Endowment for the Arts and the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival.

This month Mark Guerrero’s featured singer/songwriter is Leroy “Lonnie” Jordan, founding member of the ’70s funk band War. Jordan has had a number of roles over the years, acting as vocalist and playing guitar, piano, synthesizer, and percussion. He was among the first three people to join the group War after its inception. Jordan recorded […]

Special-ed placements: we get it from both sides As they say: “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” The Trump administration is looking to delay an Obama-era rule meant to counter racial disparities in special education. In 2016, the Obama administration found that students of color were more likely to be identified […]

New On Latinopia

Quetzal is an East Los Angeles band whose music mirrors the social, political and cultural struggles of Latinos in the United States and Latin America. On August 24, 2013 they performed their song “Canto Liso,” based on a poem by acclaimed Cuban poet Nicolás Guillén, at the Levitt Pavilion nin Pasadena, California.

Sonia Romero is a graphic artist,muralist and print maker. In this second profile on Sonia and her work, Latinopia explores Sonia’s public murals, in particular the “Urban Oasis” mural at the MacArthur Park Metro Station in Los Angeles, California.

Thelma Reyna is the author of the award-winning “The Heavens Weep For Us and Other Stories” and the poetry collections “Breath & Bone” and “Hearts In Common.” Latinopia caught up with Thelma on October 17, 2013 when she read her poems at the public library in Altadena, California.